Does anyone here have chickens?
We're considering getting some for eggs. We'd likely just get 5 or 6 hens.
So if anyone has chickens I'd appreciate some starting tips!
Also do different breeds live together well?
And how do your goats interact with them? How close to where the goats are is their coop? Judging by our goats reactions to any other animal they see, I'm worried they'll either be terrified of the chickens because they'd be so close or that they'll terrorize the chickens! Is there any way that you should introduce them? And at what age do you think the chickens could be let run free (with goats, and just in general. Our neighbor's have a cat who had a habit of eating their chicks in his youth, but he's afraid of the goats so we're hoping that'll keep him away from the chickens once they get bigger.)
Oh and also where do you buy your chickens?
I haven't looked into this too much, but I've found some sites where you can order chicks, but I'm having a hard time finding some of the breeds and colors we want.
Replies
Thought some of you might enjoy this site with 150 pics of chicken tractors! http://thecitychicken.com/tractors.html There are some really creative ideas here!
thanks! it does Vit A - I wonder if I could give them a smidgen ^^ of horseguard? that has alot of Vit A and biotin. sounds like a toxic remedy though ;/ really appreciate it - that really grosses me out - urg....
Patty Meyer said:
A Guied To Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow says,
"..When the yolk is mature, it is normally released from the only area of the yolk sac, called the "stigma" or "suture line," that is free of blood vessels. Occasionally the yolk sac ruptures at some other point, causing vessels to break and blood to appear on the yolk....They may appear in a pullet's first few eggs, but are more likely to occur as hens get older, indicating it's time to cull. Blood spots may be triggered by too little vitamin A in a hen's diet, or they may be hereditary - if you hatch replacement pullets from a hen that characteristically lays spotty eggs, your new flock will likely do the same."
Hope that helps! :)
thanks - that's extensive.... I was thinking Vit K - I know that strengthens blood vessels - but ?? hum....
Rachel Whetzel said:
With all respect to your husband, Juliana, he is mistaken (and old wives never said it, they knew better). Fertilization is *not* indicated by a blood speck - a blood speck is just that, a blood speck. Fertilization is indicated by the tiny embryo which looks quite different; once you have seen one, you will know. If blood specks were an indication of fertilization then my hens were Virgin Marys as they never were around roosters (we cannot have them inside the city); instead, blood specks appeared after they had some sort of trauma (being chased, a hawk swooping down, etc.).
I am more interested in why an egg "sticks" to the side of the shell (even the yolk). I've had it happen with eggs from two different sources since my hens were slaughtered (raccoon got my last six) whereas I have *never* seen it before and my grandparents raised layers for market so I've been around hens going back over sixty years. Those eggs went down the garbage disposal as I foolishly had not "floated" them which I should always do when I purchase them from others. I always write the date laid on the egg with pencil so I know its age but others, of course, don't do that. A friend with chickens told her mother my hens were well trained as they dated their eggs.<g>
No, blood spots or meat spot do not indicate fertilized eggs. Here's my favorite article with pictures of what DOES indicate fertile eggs. :) http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-in...
Blood spots and meat spots are safe to eat.
I also give "baby" grit to my chicks when I'm the one raising them. I get mine in the PET bird section... it's basically sand. lol I love that, Julianna! "nature's baby food" :) Perfect description!
Juliana Goodwin said:
My husband always says the little speck of blood means the egg is fertilized. No idea if that is an old wives' tale. We get little blood spots but they don't look like what I saw on that link Rachel put up. Have always seen them sometimes...never lost a hen or had a hen look sick. No big deal as far as I know.
Re: mommies raising babies, yes they take them out and feed them bugs ect right away. I have seen momma hens kill a bug and smash it up into baby sized bites :) I guess that is nature's baby food? I feed baby crumbles when mine are confined- when they are with the rest of the flock free ranging I will give baby sized grit if they don't have access to the right kind of grit in the area I am ranging them.
Julianna, I don't feed layer crumble to any of my chickens. I feed a flock crumble that is for all ages, and multiple fowl. They get their calcium from the eggs I feed back to them, and oyster shell, and the chicks don't seem interested in oyster most of the time.
Melissa, I think some blood spots are pretty normal, but this site has some causes listed, and how to avoid them http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/1/egg-quality-handbook/2...
Juliana Goodwin said:
speaking of nutrients - do you know what they need when you see frequent blood spots in the egg? it is not extremely bad - but not something I want to see. I read online that it is caused by brken blood vessels - I'm thinking vitamins but what? they are free range - plus they get crumble - they are a year old.
I believe it is not a good idea to feed layer feed to babies...too much calcium while they are growing. They need the calcium when they are laying, but I think it can overload their livers or something. Grown roos can live on layer.
Medicated chick starter is unnecessary if you keep their area clean.
When I have growing birds & layers together I feed them all Grower and put out free choice oyster shell so the layers can get more calcium if they need it
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 9 Next